Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed dissatisfaction with India’s team selection for the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), particularly criticizing the exclusion of batter Shubman Gill from the playing XI.
India skipper Rohit Sharma confirmed at the toss that Shubman Gill was dropped for the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with Washington Sundar being included in the lineup instead. The skipper also announced his move to bat at the top of the order alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Speaking about the decision, Rohit said, “The series is 1-1, a lot to play for. It gives us a perfect opportunity to show what we are as a team. Whatever situation lies in front of you, you have to fight. It’s a new day and we are looking forward to it. We have one change – Gill misses out and Washington comes in.”
Australia, having won the toss, opted to bat first in this high-stakes encounter.
Manjrekar Labels the Decision “Harsh”
Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Sanjay Manjrekar criticized the team management’s decision, calling it a “strange selection” that neither bolstered India’s bowling attack nor added significant depth to the batting lineup.
“Strange selection of the playing XI. On a non-turning pitch, the change made neither strengthens the bowling much nor the batting. Gill dropped, is harsh,” Manjrekar tweeted.
The decision to drop Gill, a proven performer in Australian conditions, has raised eyebrows among fans and cricket analysts alike. Washington Sundar, while versatile, is considered more of a bowling all-rounder, which has led to questions about the logic behind the selection.
Australia Fields Uncapped Opener
Australia’s lineup for the Boxing Day Test includes a significant debut, with U19 sensation Sam Konstas opening alongside Usman Khawaja. Konstas’s inclusion adds an exciting dimension to the Australian batting order.
Playing XIs:
- Australia: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (WK), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
- India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.
Context of the Series
With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy tied at 1-1, the Boxing Day Test is crucial for both teams as they aim to take the lead in the series and strengthen their case for the ICC World Test Championship final.
Fan and Expert Reactions
The exclusion of Shubman Gill and inclusion of Washington Sundar on a non-turning pitch has sparked heated debates among cricket enthusiasts, with many echoing Manjrekar’s concerns. As the match unfolds, all eyes will be on Team India’s decision-making and how it translates to on-field performance.